The Buckeyes took a 7-0 lead early in the game as the Ohio State defense had kept Texas in check. And Howard’s hand was not the only high-profile injury of the first half. Texas’ top receiver Matthew Golden suffered an ankle injury after he got rolled up on in the first half and tried to return before leaving the game.

Will Howard never beat Texas when he played quarterback for the Kansas State Wildcats. But he led his his new team to a thrilling 28-14 victory over the Longhorns on Friday in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. His reward is a trip to the national championship game with the Ohio State Buckeyes.